Sold For $47,501
*Includes Buyers Premium
Colt Model 1908 Vest Pocket semi-automatic pistol presented by Al Capone to a Chicago bootlegger, serial #148999, cal. .25 ACP, 2 1/8˝ barrel. The pistol retains about 70% factory blue with fine condition checkered black hard rubber factory grips. The mechanics are fine, all factory lettering is clear, and a proper two-tone magazine is included. Housed in a custom wooden case with form-fitting velvet lining.
Accompanied by a notarized letter by Philip Mascarello, dated September 11, 2000, to Greg Martin of Butterfield's Auction House. He writes: "I have a 25 cal. Colt gun serial #148999 that was given to my folks in the prohibition era by Al Capone. My mother told me it was given to them for protection if needed. My father was a bootlegger in those days. Al Capone would stop at our house and have some of my mother's cooking Italian style which he liked. From what I remember he always stopped at night (Capone). There was a place in Chicago Heights called Hungry Hill where he had a brewery which was close to our house. You did not dare say any wrong about Capone in that area as he fed most of the people living there…I remember the big black Cadillac that Capone came in. He always had a driver…I remember the people that made the booze. Luigi was my father, Emilio was his brother and Pete & Setimo. My father was killed being chased by the police. He had a load of booze in the back seat of the Oakland car he was driving. He ran into a moving freight train."
This transfers as a modern firearm.
